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Line 186: − + − shraddha: Construct Definition from the Bhagavad-Gītā by Dharm P. S. Bhawuk+ − − In this article, the construct of shraddha is derived from the Bhagavad-Gītā, a dialogue between Shri Krsna and Arjuna, which takes place in the Mahābhārata after Arjuna shares his quandary with him relating to fighting his kins.<ref name=":4" /> − − Deriving the meaning of the construct of shraddha from the Bhagavad-Gītā. − − − − + − + Line 204:
Line 197: − + − − This verse is in effect similar to verse 2.40, where Krsna proclaims that effort invested in the practice of karmayoga (a spiritual practice in which action is emphasised without attachment to rewards also called nishkama karma), one of the practices of spirituality, neither suffers a loss, nor is there an adverse effect; and even a little bit of practice helps a person to get over his or her biggest of fears. Thus, − − नेहाभिक्रमनाशोऽस्ति प्रत्यवायो न विद्यते । स्वल्पमप्यस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात् ॥२.४०॥<ref name=":9" />
→संहृतिः ॥ Synopsis: Editing
Thus, absence of Shraddha is equated to lack of knowledge, to being sceptical and shraddha itself is presented herein as a precondition of happiness.<ref name=":4" />
Thus, absence of Shraddha is equated to lack of knowledge, to being sceptical and shraddha itself is presented herein as a precondition of happiness.<ref name=":4" />
== संहृतिः ॥ Synopsis ==
== संहृतिः ॥ Synopsis<ref name=":4" />==
The terms shraddha and ashraddha feature across 19 verses in the Bhagavad Gita. An analysis of these occurances brings to fore 9 themes surrounding the concept of shraddha; 8 from the analysis of the term shraddha and 1 from the analysis of ashraddha. These themes in turn help in deriving the definition of the construct of shraddha. A brief understanding of the construct shraddha derived in this way, through the analysis of the Bhagavad Gita verses, is enumerated below:
The analysis of the terms shraddha and ashraddha featuring across 19 verses of the Bhagavad Gita results in the enumeration of 9 themes surrounding the concept of shraddha. These themes, 8 from the analysis of the term shraddha and 1 from the analysis of ashraddha are explained in brief below.<ref name=":4" />
# There are many behavioural outcomes of shraddha such as not finding faults in others.
# There are many behavioural outcomes of shraddha such as not finding faults in others.
# Shraddha occupies a central place in whatever path of spirituality is followed. Shraddha is considered integral to the procedure that makes efforts bear fruit in the practice of spirituality. And the value of an individual’s effort who is on the path of spirituality is not lost. Thus, shraddha always bears fruits.
# Shraddha occupies a central place in whatever path of spirituality is followed. In fact, shraddha is considered integral to the procedure that makes efforts bear fruit in the practice of spirituality. Also, the value of an individual’s effort who is on the path of spirituality is not lost. Thus, shraddha always bears fruits.
# Shraddha is the antecedent of jnana. And as jnana acts as a mediator between shraddha and moksa, shraddha becomes an instrument of moksa, the highest life pursuit of humans in the Bharatiya worldview. This also emphasizes the importance of shraddha for achieving moksa, which is one of the four purusharthas or life pursuits prescribed for Bharatiyas.
# Shraddha is the antecedent of jnana. And since jnana acts as a mediator between shraddha and moksa, shraddha becomes an instrument for achieving moksa which is highest of the four purusharthas (life pursuits) prescribed for humans in the Bharatiya worldview; thereby emphasizing the importance of shraddha in the Bharatiya worldview.
# Shraddha is also used to explicate other constructs like yajna, tapas (austerities), dana (charity) and karma (action); thereby highlighting the importance of this construct in understanding Bharatiya worldview and psychology.
# Shraddha is also used to explicate other constructs like yajna, tapas (austerities), dana (charity) and karma (action); thereby highlighting the importance of this construct in understanding Bharatiya worldview and psychology.
# Shraddha can be of several types. While it is noted that people can have shraddha for texts like the Bhagavad Gita, according to the Bhagavad Gita, the shraddha of a devotee following the path of devotion is of the highest type.
# Shraddha can be of several types. While it is noted that people can have shraddha for texts like the Bhagavad Gita, according to the Bhagavad Gita, the shraddha of a devotee following the path of devotion is of the highest type.
# It is also noted that though individual effort moderates the relation between shraddha and moksha, shraddha is also considered a gift of the Supreme Being or divine grace. Such grace of the divine that appears as shraddha can be seen reflected in the daily interactions of spiritual practitioners. For example, a spiritual practitioner’s harmonising behaviour is likely to emerge from his or her neutrality towards all, and not viewing people (or contexts) in terms of dichotomies like friend or enemy, good or bad, favourable or antagonistic, and so forth. Thus, the construct of shraddha can be employed to examine how social entrepreneurs can possibly effect social change.
# It is also noted that though individual effort moderates the relation between shraddha and moksha, shraddha is also considered a gift of the Supreme Being or divine grace. Such grace of the divine that appears as shraddha can be seen reflected in the daily interactions of spiritual practitioners. For example, a spiritual practitioner’s harmonising behaviour is likely to emerge from his or her neutrality towards all, and not viewing people (or contexts) in terms of dichotomies like friend or enemy, good or bad, favourable or antagonistic, and so forth. Thus, the construct of shraddha can be employed to examine how social entrepreneurs can possibly effect social change.
Such a complex understanding of the construct of shraddha cannot be captured by single word translation in English like faith or other languages. In fact, shraddha is a unique Indian indigenous construct that needs to be studied to help us understand not only the psychology of Indian people but also of people in societies which are similarly inclined. Moreover, understanding shraddha is also likely to help us understand other major constructs. It should also help us understand interpersonal relationships, since shraddha is the foundation of many relationships.<ref name=":4" />
Such a complex understanding of the construct of shraddha cannot be captured by single word translation in English viz. faith. In fact, shraddha is a unique Indian indigenous construct that needs to be studied to help us understand not only the psychology of Indian people but also of people in societies which are similarly inclined. Moreover, understanding shraddha is also likely to help us understand other major constructs as well as understand interpersonal relationships, since shraddha itself is the foundation of many relationships.
== Shraddha as a Deity ==
== Shraddha as a Deity ==